Mega Star Chiranjeevi turned nostalgic on February 11 as he marked a deeply personal milestone in his cinematic journey. The legendary actor revealed that the date holds special significance—it was the first day he ever stood in front of a camera for the film Punadhirallu in 1979.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Chiranjeevi shared rare black-and-white photographs from the sets of the film, offering fans a glimpse into the humble beginnings of what would become one of Indian cinema’s most iconic careers. Writing in Telugu, the actor reflected on the emotions he experienced on that unforgettable day.
“Today marks the first day in my life that I stood in front of the camera for the movie ‘Punadhirallu’,” he wrote. Chiranjeevi described the joy, excitement, and overwhelming sense of responsibility he felt at the time—emotions so profound, he said, that they could not be fully expressed in words. Even decades later, the memory remains vivid. The veteran star likened the experience to a “beautiful full moon story,” saying it feels as though it happened only yesterday.
On the special occasion, Chiranjeevi expressed heartfelt gratitude to the film’s director Gudapati Rajkumar and producer Kranthi Kumar for believing in him and giving him his first opportunity. He acknowledged that their trust and encouragement laid the foundation stones for his extraordinary journey in acting.
ఈరోజు “పునాదిరాళ్లు” సినిమా కోసం జీవితంలో కెమెరా ముందు నిలిచిన తొలి రోజు.
— Chiranjeevi Konidela (@KChiruTweets) February 11, 2026
ఆ రోజు నాలో కలిగిన ఆత్రుత, ఆనందం, బాధ్యత, భావోద్వేగం మాటల్లో వర్ణించలేనిది. ఆ క్షణం ఇప్పటికీ నిన్న, మొన్న జరిగిందేమో అన్నట్టు అనిపిస్తుంది.
ఒక అందమైన చందమామ కథ లాంటి అనుభూతి.
ఈ ప్రత్యేక సందర్భంలో, నాకు… pic.twitter.com/Rsc6UYmgiK
“From that day until today, my thanks to all the audience members who have supported and blessed me,” he added, extending his appreciation to fans who have stood by him through the years.
For many, Punadhirallu represents more than just a film—it marks the beginning of a legacy. Interestingly, although it was the first movie Chiranjeevi shot for, his first release was Pranam Khareedu. Upon its release in 1979, Punadhirallu earned critical acclaim and went on to win two prestigious Nandi Awards. The film received the Nandi Award for Best Feature Film, while actor Gokina Rama Rao won the Best Actor Award for his performance.
Decades later, as Chiranjeevi continues to command immense respect and admiration, this emotional reflection serves as a reminder of where it all began—a young actor, a first camera shot, and the foundation of a Mega Star.